Humanitarianism in surgery.

PURPOSE: Humanitarianism is by definition a moral of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended to all human beings. In our view as surgeons working in underserved countries, humanitarianism means performing the best operation in the best possible circumstances with high income country (HIC) results and training in-country surgeons to do the same. Hernia Repair for the Underserved (HRFU), a not for profit organization, is developing a long term public health initiative for hernia surgery in Western Hemisphere countries. We report the progress of HRFUs methods to render humanitarian care. METHODS: In a collaborative effort, Creighton University and the Institute for Latin American Concern developed an outpatient surgery site for hernia surgery in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Based on this experience, we developed a sustainable care model by recruiting American and European Hernia Society expert surgeons, staff members they recommended, building relationships with local and industry partners, and selecting local surgeons to be trained in mesh hernioplasty. HRFU then extended the care model to other Western Hemisphere countries. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2015, the HRFU elective hernia morbidity and mortality rates for 2052 hernia operations were 0.7 and 0%, respectively. This is consistent with outcomes from HICs and confirms the feasibility of a public health initiative based on the principles of the Preferential Option for the Poor. CONCLUSIONS: HRFU has recorded HIC morbidity and mortality rates for hernia surgery in low and middle income countries and has initiated a new surgical training model for sustainability of effect.

An optimized mini-preparation method to obtain high-quality genomic DNA from mature leaves of sunflower.

In order to investigate the mutation characteristics and to further examine the genetic variation of mutant sunflower (Helianthus annuus) obtained in plants grown from seeds exposed to space conditions, only the mature tissues such as leaf and flower could be used for DNA extraction after mutation characteristics were confirmed. The rich contents of polysaccharides, tannins, secondary metabolites, and polyphenolics made it difficult to isolate high-quality DNA from mature leaves of sunflower according to previous reports. Based on the comparison of the differences in previously reported protocols, a modified method for the extraction of high-quality DNA was developed. Using this protocol, the DNA isolated from sunflower was high in quality and suitable for restriction digestion (EcoRI, HindII, BamHI), random amplified polymorphic DNA study and further molecular research. Therefore, the modified protocol was suitable for investigating the genetic variation of sunflower using mature leaf DNA.

An optimized mini-preparation method toobtain high-quality genomic DNA from mature leaves of sunflower

In order to investigate the mutation characteristics and to further examine the genetic variation of mutant sunflower (Helianthus annuus) obtained in plants grown from seeds exposed to space conditions, only the mature tissues such as leaf and flower could be used for DNA extraction after mutation characteristics were confirmed. The rich contents of polysaccharides, tannins, secondary metabolites, and polyphenolics made it difficult to isolate high-quality DNA from mature leaves of sunflower according to previous reports. Based on the comparison of the differences in previously reported protocols, a modified method for the extraction of high-quality DNA was developed. Using this protocol, the DNA isolated from sunflower was high in quality and suitable for restriction digestion (EcoRI, HindII, BamHI), random amplified polymorphic DNA study and further molecular research. Therefore, the modified protocol was suitable for investigating the genetic variation of sunflower using mature leaf DNA.